Aston Villa Preston North End Boubacar Kamara Unai Emery
(credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Sun 30 March 2025 17:50, UK
Unai Emery once again relied on Boubacar Kamara as Aston Villa secured a 3-0 win against Preston North End on Sunday.
The Villans travelled to Deepdale on 30 March and secured a place in the FA Cup semi-final thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Jacob Ramsey.
This result came despite a cagey first-half display against the Championship outfit before quality prevailed as the clash went on.
Despite securing the positive result thanks to goals from the two attackers, it is Kamara who deserves praise for his influence in the middle of the park.
Unai Emery managing Aston Villa
Unai Emery has put his faith in Boubacar Kamara (Credit: Imago)
Kamara key in Aston Villa win v Preston
The Frenchman is arguably one of the best players in the Villa squad right now, despite his various injury issues in the past two seasons.
This importance was reflected in the FA Cup quarter-final as the 25-year-old played a key role at the base of midfield while also filling in for Matty Cash at right back.
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The Poland international loves to get forward and is afforded that luxury by the former Marseille man’s ability to slide across and plug gaps.
This saw Kamara contribute with eight defensive actions, including a 100 per cent pass accuracy, as well as 10 recoveries to keep the away side ticking over.
Add to this five duels won and you have a superb defensive option which allows for all the attacking quality in the side to flourish.
This isn’t to say that the defensive midfielder is just a block; he has the intelligence to keep up a 90 per cent pass accuracy across his 70 attempts with nine of those going into the final third.
At Deepdale, the Frenchman also completed two dribbles, just adding to the all-action nature of his performance in such a huge game for the B6 club.
Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara was superb against Preston (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa must give Kamara new contract
With yet another excellent performance, it begs the question of why contract decisions are even in discussion right now.
Kamara has been linked with a new deal, and after his showing in Lancashire, there is no doubt that Villa need to lock down his future.
Stat (Premier League 24/25) Boubacar Kamara
Successful passes 559
Successful dribbles 8
Tackles won 15
Duels won 83
Recoveries 59
Boubacar Kamara Aston Villa stats 24/25
Alongside Youri Tielemans, Emery has a midfield duo which could play at the heart of his side for many years and only get better as the years go on.
It may have been Rashford and Ramsey who won the game with their goals, but it was the influence of Kamara which flew under the radar once more.
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